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Feb 6, 2008
Banksy's portrait of Kate Moss sells for S$271,506
Kate's portrait, which was inspired by Andy Warhol's iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe was sold for £96,000 (S$271,506). -- PHOTO: TOPSHOP
LONDON - ENGLISH graffiti artist Banksy's screen print of supermodel Kate Moss sold for 96,000 pounds (S$271,506) on Tuesday at a street art auction in London, the auction house said.

The work, inspired by Andy Warhol's iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe, was one of 75 pieces of 'urban art' on sale, Bonhams auction house said.

Many of the works were created with spray-paint and stencils and began life as street graffiti before being transferred to canvas.

'By definition (urban art) is an ephemeral art form, often disappearing as fast as it appears,' Mr Gareth Williams, senior picture specialist at Bonhams. '

By transposing their images from street wall to canvas, urban artists are now creating a permanent legacy.'

Banksy refuses to give his real name, which has been variously reported as Robert Banks or Robin Banks. The artist, who does much of his work on exterior walls, rarely offers originals for sale. -- AP

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